LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 10: Realize How Much I Love Her
When I tried to give Chinatsu-chan some clothes as a gift to apologize for turning her into a dress-up doll, she refused with all her might.
“You don’t buy clothes for your friends!” She said to me firmly. She was right. I wouldn’t even think of giving a gift to someone unless it was her.
.
Still, I saw that she liked some of the clothes she tried on and secretly bought them. The desire to see her in lovely clothes again grew.
“I’m sorry I dragged you around. You must be tired, right?”
“I’m not tired. I’m a very energetic person.”
We looked around at various other stores.
I was having so much fun that I got carried away. The fact that we had to take a break at the end of the day was something I would like to improve on in the future.
I was currently sitting across from Chinatsu-chan at a coffee shop that was rumored to be popular with women. In order to have a proper date with Chinatsu-chan, I had chosen a place that was not likely to be entered by a man alone.
“Is this the place you wanted to come to? I heard that it is difficult to enter unless you are with a girl.”
Chinatsu-chan looked around. All the customers were women except me. Just as I had expected.
“Yes, yes. The chocolate brownies here are superb. I really want you to try them.”
“Really? Have you had them before, Sano-kun?”
“Yes, I have. I had them before when I came here with my sister…..Ah”
“Hmm. You’ve been here with your sister before.”
It wasn’t hot but I was sweating profusely.
Chinatsu-chan took a sip of her cold drink and gave me the biggest smile of the day.
“I know I said it’s hard to enter here unless you’re with a girl, but …, if you have a sister, it should be fine.”
“No! That’s not it, Chinatsu-chan!”
That made me sound like I was a Sis-con. I went to all the trouble of getting my sister to go along with the preliminary check, even though she gave me a disapproving look! I was so ready for the date with Chinatsu-chan because of this cafe! What an idiot I am! What an elementary mistake!
“A-a long time ago! It’s just that I came here once before! Now I only came here with Chinatsu-chan, so please forgive me!”
“Hey, Sano-kun! You’re talking too loud ….”
Chinatsu-chan tugged at my sleeve as I stood up unexpectedly. I reflected on the fact that I was in a hurry and raised my voice.
“What? Shuraba?”
“Did that guy cheat on her?”
“He’s so young, but he’s such a bastard.”
HishoHisho……
(T/N: Whispering sfx)
All around us were female customers. This daytime drama development was a good story.
“…….I’m sorry, ”
I sat down, getting smaller. Embarrassed …
I made Chinatsu-chan feel more embarrassed than I did. My stupidity! It was supposed to be the best day of my life since I got to go on a date with Chinatsu-chan.
The awkward time ended when the chocolate brownie and iced coffee I ordered were placed on the table.
“……It’s delicious.”
This was her impression after taking a bite of the chocolate brownie. Perhaps it was an unintentional comment on her part, as she held her mouth as if in shock.
“Right? It’s delicious, isn’t it? You thought it was worth coming, didn’t you?”
“Well, Un …….I’m glad I came”
Hearing those words, I inwardly cheered many times.
A girl I like said to me, “I’m glad I came”. What a joy this was! My depressed mood instantly rose to the top of the ceiling.
“Don’t stare at me so much.”
“You’re so cute when you’re eating, Chinatsu-chan, that my eyes are just drawn to you.”
“…… pervert.”
“Eh, I’m not a pervert.”
I’m not a pervert, right?
“Chinatsu-chan.”
After finishing the cake, we chatted a bit and then I cut to the chase.
“I really enjoyed hanging out with you today. I had a lot of fun.”
“Un. I had fun, too.”
Her smiling face was still so cute. My chest felt incredibly tight.
“So I’ll say it again. I like you, Chinatsu-chan. If you don’t mind, I’d like to spend more time with you in the future.”
“Sano-kun ……”
A little bit happy. But with an apologetic look on her face, she opened her mouth.
“I’m sorry.”
The moment she said it, my mind went blank.
But I could not lose my mind. As a man, I must look forward to the end.
I held back the tears in my eyes and listened to the rest of her words.
“I’m glad you feel that way, Sano-kun ,but I don’t have the personality to be liked by anyone, and I might even say something that might hurt you.”
Lacking confidence, her eyebrows drooped.
Originally, Chinatsu-chan was not a very confident girl.
It’s not like she’s been asking for advice until now. Although she often seemed to have a harsh personality from the outside, she was always ashamed of her words and actions when she was alone.
I didn’t mean to say that. I wish I could be more honest. I let slip a habitual remorseful remark.
“So, I can’t have that kind of relationship with Sano-kun … because it would cause you trouble ….”
But even though she may say harsh things, Chinatsu-chan doesn’t speak with malicious intent.
The same went for her words to Osako. Chinatsu-chan’s words may have been harsh, but they were all words of concern for her sloppy childhood friend. I could only think that she was full of compassion.
It was almost unrewarding that it was her childhood friend who completely shattered her confidence in herself.
“I would never consider it a nuisance.”
“Huh?”
A very sensitive girl. Clumsy, honest, and very sweet.
I know the girl I fell in love with has that side of her, I know it.
“Hey, Chinatsu-chan, Is it okay to think that it doesn’t mean that you don’t like me anymore? ”
“There’s no way I hate you. There is no way I could hate Sano-kun, who is so kind to me. …”
They were the words that gave me hope.
“Okay. I won’t ask you to go out with me right now.”
“……”
“But you’ll allow me to attack you like this, right?”
“Eh, But”
She was puzzled, thinking it was the end.
If you become my lover, I might cause trouble for you. Lingering feelings for Osako. Loss of self-confidence. There were probably several reasons why Chinatsu-chan was unable to take the next step.
She couldn’t just suddenly pretend that all of that didn’t happen. There was no way she could do that. I thought I should respect her heart.
“Think of it as convenient. Take your time. You can put off your answer. I’m just a convenient man for you, Chinatsu-chan.”
“T-That’s …… dishonest.”
“No, it’s not.”
Who decided what the deadline was? If it’s okay with the person in question, it’s not dishonest.
For me, it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. On the contrary, it was an unexpected chance. It was human nature to want to treasure it.
“I’m going to put it on hold until I get a real answer. You want time to calmly and slowly think about it, don’t you, Chinatsu-chan?”
“…… Yes”
Okay, I’ve avoided a complete rejection for the time being.
In addition, I also got a positive indication that I could continue to attack her in the future. Not a bad achievement.
“……”
Chinatsu-chan, red up to her ears, sipped her tea.
The quiet background music of the coffee shop and the sound of customers talking could be heard.
I spent a peaceful time with Chinatsu-chan. That time also made me realize how much I loved her.